During a discussion with a group of "friends", one of them threw this out to everybody,
"Without going into the specifics, a nameless friend needs prayers for a nameless situation."
As usual, there were the useless "Praying for your friend," "My prayers," etc.
into which I said, "True prayers don't work that way. In order for a prayer to have it's intended effect, you must direct it at the person, then pray specifically for the intended result."
In typical stupidity, I received insults and explanation on why carelessly thrown out prayers do work.
Now, being immersed in Southern Baptist theology, I went digging in the New Testament, and went to the man himself for the correct way to pray.
And, as always, this was what I found.
"“And now about prayer. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you."
“When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think prayers are answered only by repeating words over and over again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Verse 7: Jesus tells us not to ramble on and on, as people of other religions do, or be repetitious with words. God, our heavenly Father, would have us be specific about our prayer.
This suggests to me, that while the Father does know all of our desires and those who need to be healed, helped, etc. He desires for us to be specific on how we'd like him to help.
So, doesn't that sound like to you, that prayers require direction and intent?